Adventure Magazine Cover — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

a posse, and ride back another hundred ‘miles to Hasbrouck’s ranch on Goose Creek, Hasbrouck would surely have his plans arranged. Help being out of the ques- tion time was the very essence of the situa- tion. Dal set out over the road he had traversed once before on foot. Hard as it had been to make that first walk it was harder now; yet he plodded on grimly, step after step, keeping his teeth gritted to fight down the - pain in his head. It was just past dusk when he finally reached the top of the plateau. which over- looked Hasbrouck’s headquarters. Tough as the going had been he was unconscious of any weariness. He was just as eager for combat as he had been when Hasbrouck’s revolver butt had taken it all out of him. There were lights gleaming in both the bunkhouse and the smaller house occupied. by Hasbrouck personally. It was this smaller building which riveted Dal’s atten- tion; but he wanted to see Hop Sing first. He made his approach cautiously, going directly to the springhouse where he had taken refuge on his previous visit. He sank to his knees almost the instant he entered the place. Several crocks of milk were setting about and he wasted no time getting his lips to the edge of one. The con- tents disappeared steadily until he finally lifted his head with a sigh of pure content. There was a chuckle behind him, and he whirled on his heel while his right hand shot toward his gun. The next second he grinned sheepishly as he gazed into the bland face of Hop Sing. The Chinaman had evened the score for the shock Dal had given him when he dropped from the rafters in that same place. “You much likee milick,” Hop Sing grinned. “Tf you hadn’t had anything on your - stomach but your shirt for as long as I have you wouldn’t have stopped with the milk— ~ -you’d have eat_the crock,” Dal retorted. The Chinaman struck a match and held it uncomfortably close to Dal’s nose while he red into his face. “Me fixee you,” he said bluntly, and before Dal could move he was out of the door and padding up the path toward the house. ~ Dal sat down and waited. He had abso- lutely no fear of treachery on the part of - the Chinaman. Despite his yellow hide Hop tt Silver Zone -some information. Sing was clean strain from top to bottemie but when he got his neck bowed to do a = thing there was no changing him. In twenty minutes the cook was back with a huge sirloin steak, bread, butter, and — = coffee. Dal knew it had required art to - smuggle those things out of a room Alles = with watchful men, but he wasted no time - - : Re: in purposeless inquiries. In his present con- _ << dition he was ready to accept any help the — Fates might bring—especially in the ape of eatables—without asking vain questions. — But as soon as his mouth was crammed full * a < he was ready to begin asking questions ok 2 3 importance. “Wok c’here, Sop Hing,” he started. “You eatee—then talkee,” Hop Sing cut _ = = him off with a grin. Knowing that the Chinaman would refuse to answer anyway Dal finished his meal ama oe < © found himself feeling decidedly better, and — with renewed confidence in the ultimate = See outcome. “T believe that feed saved my life,” he = = ~ acknowledged gratefully. “Now I want — - Where has Hasbrouck — got those two girls hid?” The cook’s almond eyes opened. sia with surprise. “Me no see no gels,” he stated positively, “Ts Hasbrouck here?”’ Dal asked —_ — 5 3 ‘Ves. ? “Been here all day?” : Yes.” “‘Ain’t you heard the men talkin’ about — any girls?” Dal persisted. The Chinaman’s eyes closed suggestively. 4 3 S ‘“Hasblook’s men much cuss—much sweat ees —but no talkée no time.” “Was Hasbrouck here last night?” Hop Sing’s eyes widened innocently. - “Me'tellee all I know me-ketchee touble __ = »’ he rebuked. —plenty “Look here, Hop Sing,” Dal said firmly, | 2 | = “T know that Hasbrouck an’ his gang raided Silver Zone las’ night—’cause I was there. _ They killed at least two men, an’ carried off — two girls. They might git away with the killin’s, but even Hasbrouck can’t git away with that kidnappin’ stuff—not in this A an’ age. If the law don’t git him I will. If the law comes everybody that’s here “a have a hard time makin’ explanations. But. if you help me what you can there'll be no | * ez danger of you bein’ implicated with this 4 ae rotten outfit.” He watched the Chinaman’ s expressionless — Gomi (G XeX0) S Bor u